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About Blind Vet Tech

Are you a visually impaired Veteran interested in learning more about technology and adaptive software? Have you received a device, like an iPhone or iPad, from a Blind Rehab Center, but require more information on how to use it? Are you a visually impaired Veteran looking for a network of peers to assist you in determining if updating your device is the right choice? If you answered yes, or simply are interested in learning more about assistive technologies for blinded Veterans, continue reading about Blind Vet Tech.

What is Blind Vet Tech?

Blind Vet Tech is a demonstration and information sharing community of blinded Veterans aiming to bring information about technology to our fellow blinded Veterans.

What does Blind Vet Tech consist of?

Blind Vet Tech consists of:

Blind Vet Tech Quick Guides and Tutorials podcast series

Monthly iPhone and iPad teleconferences

The Blind Vet Tech News and Announcements blog, so you can stay up to date with assistive tech news and upcoming teleconferences

Informative guides related to iPhones and iPads

Facebook discussion group

Blind Vet Tech Quick Guides and Tutorials Podcast

The Blind Vet Tech Quick Guides and Tutorials Podcast series provides short demonstrations, product reviews, information, and tutorials for a range of different devices one might use related to sight loss. These includes different features and apps for the iPhone and iPad, computers, and other adaptive technologies like Daisy book players. Select from any of the below methods to start listening to the Blind Vet Tech Quick Guides and Tutorials Podcast:

Blind Vet Tech Monthly Tech Talk Teleconference

The Blind Vet Tech Monthly Tech Talk teleconference focuses on sharing information, tips, and tricks related to your iPhone and iPad to bringing you guest presenters discussing other blindness related technologies. Even if you do not possess an iPhone or iPad, we welcome you as well, and hope to offer you a place to ask any questions about various mobile devices. Blind Vet Tech Monthly Tech Talk teleconference occurs on:

When – Third Thursday of each month

Time – 2000 Eastern, 1900 Central, 1800 Mountain, and 1700 Pacific

Call in Number – • (866) 820-9940(No Pin Required)

Blind Vet Tech Monthly MacOS Talk Teleconference

The Blind Vet Tech Monthly MacOS Talk focuses on sharing information, tips, and tricks related to your MacBook, iMac, Mac Mini, or other MacOS computer. We encourage individuals who do not have a MacOS computer but are interested in learning more to join us for our demonstrations and training calls. Blind Vet Tech Monthly MacOS Talk teleconference occurs on:

When – Second Thursday of each month

Time – 2000 Eastern, 1900 Central, 1800 Mountain, and 1700 Pacific

Call in Number – • (866) 820-9940(No Pin Required)

Muting iPhones

We ask that you use a phone line that enables you to mute yourself, or at least refrain from using speaker phones in public environments. iPhone users can do this by doing the following:

Once you place a call, you are on the in call service screen that features the number pad for phone calls

Placing your thumb above the home button, move your thumb upwards until you find the End Call button

Swipe once to the right and double tap the hide button

Once again, place your thumb above the home button and move upwards until you find the end call button again

Start swiping to the left (roughly 6 times) until you hear Mute call, and double tap here, repeat to un-mute

For those using sight, the hide button is a small group of text located at the bottom of the screen, and slightly offset to the right above the home button

The mute button is located at the top left of the two rows of three buttons that appears after pressing hide

The Blind Vet Tech News and Announcements blog is the premier method to stay up to date with assistive tech news, receive alerts about the times and topics for upcoming teleconferences, and listen to recordings of previous teleconferences. This channel is also home to the Blind Vet Tech News and Announcements podcast channel, which provides an alternative method to obtain information about upcoming and past teleconferences.

Originally created for the 2014 BVA National Convention, a series of quick start guides were created to assist individuals through the exploration and usage of many features and apps associated with the iPhone and iPad. Recently, these guides and similar information has started to appear in the BVA’s bulletin, providing tips, tricks, and information about a range of technologies. The iOS guides might be found by clinking on the link for Blind Vet Tech iPhone and iPad Guides

What started as a list of iOS guides has expanded to a series of blog posts on using different assistive technologies and commentary on assistive technologies. Posts ranges from how to articles to assisting in upgrading questions. Some of these articles have even appeared in the Blinded Veterans Association's bulletin, and receive numerous positive reviews.

and Blind Vet Tech Facebook Discussion Group
The final aspect of Blind Vet Tech is our Facebook discussion group. Our private discussion group provides a safe and secure location to ask any questions or share information about assistive tech. An additive bonus is members receive announcements through calendar events about upcoming teleconferences, so you never need to worry about missing another one. Having ben a member of numerous email and online discussion groups, many of the contributors failed to understand some the circumstances blinded Veterans receive training on technology or even how we lose our sight. The Blind Vet Tech Facebook discussion group resolves this issue by limiting participation to our fellow Veterans and those who assist us,,, enabling conversations about the different Blind Rehab Centers, commonly issued devices, and information based on similar experiences.To join our Facebook Discussion Group, click here and request an invitation.